An art show featuring Chinese folk songs and dances was held in Houston Saturday, prior to Chinese President Hu Jintao's state visit to the United States in January.

The nearly two-hour show featured songs, dances, musical instruments, acrobatic and magic performances by artists from the Yunnan Performing Arts Group.

The famed Houston guitarist Edward Grigassy also joined in to bring several Chinese and American songs to the audience.

Chinese Consul General in Houston Gao Yanping said before the show that, as the biggest developing country in the world, China can and should be friends and partners with the United States, the biggest developed country.

"China and the United States are working together to build a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship for the 21st century," Gao said.

The mayor of Houston Annise Parker, who visited China in 2010 on a trade mission, said the two countries need to work together as friends and partners.